Ghana is set to experience significant power supply interruptions over the coming weeks, following a reduction in gas supply from Nigeria. The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have issued a joint statement informing the public about the expected disruptions.
The gas supply disruption began on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, and is projected to last for three weeks. “Due to a reduction in gas supply from Nigeria since yesterday, Wednesday 12th June, 2024, some areas across the country have experienced interruption in power supply,” the statement read.
The reduction in gas supply has been attributed to maintenance work being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria, as confirmed by the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo).
“WAPCo, in a statement, has explained that the reduction in gas supply was due to maintenance works being undertaken by a gas supplier in Nigeria and is projected to last three weeks,” the firms stated.
The maintenance work in Nigeria has caused a notable decrease in Ghana’s overall power generation capacity, which could necessitate load management measures to ensure an equitable distribution of the available power.
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“The maintenance has caused a reduction in overall power generation capacity in Ghana, which could result in load management over the period of the work,” the statement cautioned.
Recognizing the challenges posed by the situation, GRIDCo and ECG have assured the public that they are working closely with other stakeholders in the power value chain to optimize available resources and minimize the impact on consumers.
“GRIDCo and ECG, however, wish to assure the public that we are collaborating with other stakeholders in the power value chain to optimize available resources to ensure minimal impact of the reduction in gas supply on consumers,” the statement read.
The utilities have extended their apologies for the inconvenience caused by the power outages, expressing regret for the disruption to the daily lives and activities of Ghanaians. “GRIDCo and ECG sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused,” the statement concluded.
This gas supply reduction and the resulting power outages come at a time when Ghana is striving to enhance its energy infrastructure and ensure reliable electricity for its citizens. The dependency on gas imports from Nigeria underscores the importance of diversifying energy sources and investing in local energy production capabilities.
The Ghanaian government is expected to address the situation and provide updates on any additional measures being taken to alleviate the power shortages. Public reactions have ranged from concern over the immediate impact on businesses and households to calls for long-term solutions to prevent future occurrences.
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As Ghana navigates this challenging period, the cooperation between GRIDCo, ECG, and other stakeholders will be crucial in mitigating the effects of the gas supply disruption. The situation highlights the interconnected nature of energy supply in the region and the need for robust contingency plans to ensure energy security.
In the coming weeks, the focus will be on managing the reduced power supply efficiently and exploring ways to enhance the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure against such disruptions in the future.